BamaRock
Newbie
anything secrets or tricks i should know about when changing out my auto hubs on my 86 k5? I purchased warn premiums with conversion kit.
CK5
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auto to manual hub change
- Thread starter BamaRock
- Start date
First off, you shouldn't need the conversion kit. If you had the auto hubs with 6 bolts in them, then you do not need a conversion kit. Hold onto it so you can take it back.
A few tips...
1. Take out everything clear down to the nuts that hold the wheel bearing in place. Then, put the washer back in that goes on this side of those nuts. Make sense?
2. Before you install the hubs, spray a coating of spray lubricant on the new hubs and the splines inside the hubs (part where the new hub is going). If you use grease, there won't be enough room to lock or unlock the hubs. If you don't use anything, they can be a booger to turn. Some people use WD-40, I recommend spray silicone. Makes locking and unlocking much easier and helps repel water.
3. Before putting the final outer locking ring in place, bend the end of it in slightly. This makes it much easier to get out of the groove later. This should make sense when you get that far.
All in all it should take you less than 10 minutes per hub.
A few tips...
1. Take out everything clear down to the nuts that hold the wheel bearing in place. Then, put the washer back in that goes on this side of those nuts. Make sense?
2. Before you install the hubs, spray a coating of spray lubricant on the new hubs and the splines inside the hubs (part where the new hub is going). If you use grease, there won't be enough room to lock or unlock the hubs. If you don't use anything, they can be a booger to turn. Some people use WD-40, I recommend spray silicone. Makes locking and unlocking much easier and helps repel water.
3. Before putting the final outer locking ring in place, bend the end of it in slightly. This makes it much easier to get out of the groove later. This should make sense when you get that far.
All in all it should take you less than 10 minutes per hub.
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
When you get the auto hub body(not cover, but acutal internal body) out make sure you get the snapring and washer that it is behind it out or the new hubs won't seat enough to get the snaprings on.
And like said above, you shouldn't need the conversion kit unless you have the auto hubs with only 3 bolts holding on the hub face plate.
And like said above, you shouldn't need the conversion kit unless you have the auto hubs with only 3 bolts holding on the hub face plate.
dduckblazer
Registered Member
newbe ?. Whats the benifit of this change?
ptrparker
Registered Member
I also have an 86 K5 and I'm replacing my brakes and want to convert from auto to manual hubs. All the sites say I need a transfer case conversion kit, is this necessary? What else is needed?
this is from the Warn website;
GVehicles With Full Time 4WD Requires Transfer Case Conversion Kit
is it difficult to replace the transfer case conversion kit?
http://www.warn.com/truck/hubs/application_chart.shtml#exceptions
this is from the Warn website;
GVehicles With Full Time 4WD Requires Transfer Case Conversion Kit
is it difficult to replace the transfer case conversion kit?
http://www.warn.com/truck/hubs/application_chart.shtml#exceptions
Last edited:
Just did the Suburban last month no conversion kit needed. The reason for my swap was to get better mileage.
Other reason was to engage them you have to be moving if your stuck how are you going to get them to engage? Also they get funky and want to engage at times when you really do not need them. I have my old set in the scrap pile just my 2 cents.
Other reason was to engage them you have to be moving if your stuck how are you going to get them to engage? Also they get funky and want to engage at times when you really do not need them. I have my old set in the scrap pile just my 2 cents.
ptrparker
Registered Member
OK, just want to confirm that 86 full time 4x4 is the same set up.
The only reason I ask is because 86 seems to be a unique year due to the single rear seal, last year of carb, only year that I know of that has molded bucket seats, etc...
Thank you!
The only reason I ask is because 86 seems to be a unique year due to the single rear seal, last year of carb, only year that I know of that has molded bucket seats, etc...
Thank you!
Well, son they all mold if you get them to wet! I'd say try some Depends.
J/K never hurts to ask; that is why we are all here (to learn).
ptrparker
Registered Member
Thank you!
Just purchased WARN 20990!
Just purchased WARN 20990!
ptrparker
Registered Member
ptrparker
Registered Member
is auto locking same as full time 4x4?
greengiant0311
1/2 ton status
Full time will just have a shifter from 4HI to 4Lo, auto will have the transfer case shifter with 2hi,n,4hi and 4lo.
scooter122983
1/2 ton status
An 86' should not have full time 4wd. The transfer case shifter should be on the trans tunnel pointing toward the firewall. The shift pattern from the front would be 2hi-4hi-N-4lo. You should have either auto locking hubs which will not have any dial of any type, or manual hubs which would have a dial with two positions that say lock and unlock.
